Chapter 1580: Four Nine Heavenly Tribulations

The Ullambana Festival and the Zhongyuan Dharma Assembly were originally a single entity, and their general procedures were similar. Of course, given the differences between Buddhism and Taoism, the specific forms of the assemblies naturally differed significantly.

The so-called "first-class grand event" was, in fact, only for the cultivators from the sects within the Nineteen Misty Rain States. Cultivators and rogue cultivators from the Northern Barren, Western Desert, and Eastern Sea were not eligible to participate; they could only watch. Even so, it still attracted many immortal cultivators to witness the ceremony.

During the assembly, there were various activities like spell duels, dao discussions, and displays of immortal cultivation arts, making it an excellent opportunity for exchange. However, these were secondary. The sectarian powers of the Nineteen Misty Rain States valued the assemblies most, as each one was an opportunity to distribute benefits, potentially even shaping the Central Plains' structure for the next five hundred years.

Since they were called the Ullambana Festival and the Zhongyuan Dharma Assembly, they were naturally led by the Ganlu Chan Temple and the Eight-Scenery View, respectively. However, the location of the events was not fixed; it rotated among the nineteen states. Whenever it was a state's turn, its sectarian powers had to fully cooperate. Weaker states, such as the seven states of the Western Route which were later gradually incorporated into the Central Plains, could co-host if their strength was insufficient.

Hosting the assemblies offered countless benefits, and all qualified sectarian powers, including the Demonic Sects, were delighted to do so. Tianhao Tower, the foremost Demonic Sect in the Central Plains, was located in the Six Jiangzuo States alongside Eight-Scenery View and Ganlu Chan Temple. Though their relationship was far from harmonious, Tianhao Tower still cooperated with Eight-Scenery View to host a Zhongyuan Dharma Assembly. During the assembly, an atmosphere of harmony prevailed.

Qin Sang learned from Jiang Mu that there were less than eighty years left until the next Ullambana Festival. This upcoming Ullambana Festival was to be hosted by Jinyu State, one of the four Northern States. Jinyu Sect, being immensely wealthy, had reportedly announced long ago that they were fully prepared to host an unprecedented grand assembly, with all expenses covered solely by Jinyu Sect, relieving other powers in Jinyu State of any financial burden.

"Unforgettable Mountain has sealed itself off for a hundred years. Does this mean they won't attend the Ullambana Festival? Or will they simply send a few disciples to go through the motions? Or perhaps Situ Yu anticipated potential changes at this festival and is not optimistic about the future..."

Qin Sang's first thought was of Unforgettable Mountain. Situ Yu's decision to seal the mountain at this time must have been a carefully considered one.

"The Ullambana Festival will be a crucial turning point!" Qin Sang thought to himself. The hidden forces and the sects with their own ulterior motives were likely all waiting for the Ullambana Festival. In previous assemblies, there were many instances of Soul Transformation stage cultivators making their presence known. In recent years, rumors of missing Soul Transformation cultivators had been widespread. If Soul Transformation cultivators were to appear, everything would proceed as usual. However, if no Soul Transformation cultivators were to appear at this upcoming assembly, it was likely that control would be lost. Before and after the festival, the cultivation world was bound to undergo monumental changes.

Qin Sang was a lone wolf, without any ties. For him, chaos in the Central State might not be a bad thing; it would be easier to fish in troubled waters. The prerequisite was having sufficient strength. Otherwise, if inadvertently caught in a major upheaval, being buried in the chaos was entirely possible. He certainly wasn't weak among cultivators of his same cultivation level, but even top-tier cultivators from powerful legacies possessed no shortage of secret arts and exotic treasures. Moreover, the Central State also had legacies of Soul Transformation cultivation.

Noticing Jiang Mu's gaze, Qin Sang dismissed these thoughts and asked, "Daoist Jiang, what did you mean by mentioning the Ullambana Festival? If I have time then, I will certainly go to Jinyu State to observe... Is it possible for exotic treasures more valuable than the Turtle Guidance Art and the Undetermined Flower to appear at the Ullambana Festival?"

Jiang Mu nodded, then shook his head, saying, "During the assembly, there are daily auctions with some grand finale treasures. However, items surpassing the Turtle Guidance Art in value are likely to be few. Even if such high-caliber treasures appear, it's hard for them to circulate widely. This is because, during the assembly, cultivators from super-sects organize small exchange meetings that are closed to outsiders; one must have an introduction to join."

Hearing this, Qin Sang felt a pang of regret, realizing he could have asked Lu Zhang for an introduction. He had devoted all his energy to arduous cultivation, thinking that maintaining a good relationship with Unforgettable Mountain would suffice. He never imagined Unforgettable Mountain would seal itself off precisely at this time. The Xie family's reputation would probably be of little use at the assembly. Given the unstable situation in the cultivation world, Qin Sang wasn't naive. He had no desire to openly step forward at this moment, expose his identity and cultivation, and draw attention to himself. A wise person keeps their talents hidden and acts when the time is right.

"Your esteemed hall must also be preparing, right?" Qin Sang looked at Jiang Mu.

"Naturally, our Six States Hall would not miss such a grand event. If Daoist Qin is interested, you can contact me when the assembly approaches or once you're in Jinyu State. I will report to the main hall and secure a place for you. Rest assured, Daoist Qin, our hall guarantees that there will be no issues at the exchange meeting."

Jiang Mu openly admitted that the more high-ranking individuals participated in the exchange meeting, the better. Recruiting a Nascent Soul cultivator with just a few words counted as his achievement.

Qin Sang agreed, but this didn't solve his immediate problem. The Central State was about to descend into chaos after the assembly; could he really just return to secluded cultivation?

Jiang Mu noticed Qin Sang's doubts and changed his tone. "Daoist, don't rush. After a while, there should be frequent auctions and exchange meetings."

"Oh? How so?"

"The performance at the Ullambana Festival will have a certain impact on the final distribution of benefits. Before the assembly, all sects will exert their full efforts and prepare thoroughly. To compensate for their shortcomings, they won't hesitate to trade long-cherished treasures. Exchanging only among themselves is insufficient, and many Daoists don't want to expose their weaknesses, lest their adversaries discover clues. At that time, they will seek to procure items from external sources through other channels. Considering the five hundred years of accumulation by these sects, it's clear that this will be an excellent opportunity for us rogue cultivators to acquire treasures!"

As Jiang Mu spoke, he rubbed his hands together, his face alight with anticipation. Qin Sang's demeanor strongly resembled that of a rogue or an outer-domain cultivator, or perhaps a sect cultivator in disguise, but Jiang Mu wasn't concerned. As he had stated, more such individuals would appear as the assembly approached.

Qin Sang was also greatly moved by this news. As one of the largest mercantile associations in the Central State, Six States Hall certainly wouldn't lack such commissions! So, Jiang Mu had taken such a roundabout approach, only for this to be his true objective.

"What are the requirements for participating in such exchange meetings?" Qin Sang asked directly.

"Daoist, you are straightforward!" Jiang Mu gazed at Qin Sang. "Generally, all Nascent Soul stage Daoists can participate in exchange meetings, and the more, the merrier. However, some special guests have stringent requirements; for cultivation alone, one must be at least at the Mid-Nascent Soul stage, or possess comparable strength! Naturally, such exchange meetings will certainly not disappoint you, with rare treasures making their appearance!"

Qin Sang had been in Six States Hall for so long, yet Jiang Mu couldn't discern the depth of his cultivation at all, leading to certain suspicions in his mind.

Qin Sang raised his right hand, placed it on the table, and tapped lightly with his fingers. Suddenly, a faint sword qi shot from his index finger, piercing the wall in a flash. The sword qi penetrated the wall, leaving a small hole, then instantly dissipated, executed with utmost subtlety.

Jiang Mu's pupils contracted. He pressed his palm down, preventing the restriction from retaliating. Although the restrictions in the quiet room were not as strong as the protective spiritual arrays outside, the ease with which the opponent breached them spoke volumes. He no longer hesitated and immediately took out a token, handing it to Qin Sang.

"Daoist Qin, please keep this token safe. When attending the exchange meeting, you can use it to bring two companions without restriction. When there's news, how should I contact you? Our hall offers several communication methods; you may choose one."

Qin Sang took the token and found it similar to the Six States Token he had received earlier, though its patterns were more intricate and its interior contained extremely complex, hard-to-forge markings. He put away the token and asked, "There's no rush for this matter. Your esteemed hall has cultivation caves for rent in Yan Shui Ruins, right? I plan to rent one here and impose for a few days."

Jiang Mu was taken aback. "This... I'm afraid it won't meet Daoist's high standards." The cultivation caves in Yan Shui Ruins were decent, but how could they compare to the grotto-heavens and blessed lands of a Nascent Soul cultivator?

"No matter, a high-grade cultivation cave will suffice," Qin Sang said indifferently. Refining demonic flames didn't require high spiritual energy. In his future plans, making enemies was unavoidable, especially with his search for the Formless Immortal Sect. If he happened to offend Eight-Scenery View and Ganlu Chan Temple, he would need a fallback plan. Few people knew the relationship between him and his avatar. Making a clear separation and acting independently would still be useful.

Jiang Mu hadn't expected Qin Sang to make such a request, but he couldn't refuse. He not only personally stepped forward to clear out the best cultivation cave but also arranged for maidservants to be at Qin Sang's disposal. The cultivation cave was located on the immortal mountain in the northern part of Yan Shui Ruins. Qin Sang had an entire peak and a lake to himself, a truly beautiful and serene treasure land amidst the bustling activity.

After settling Qin Sang, Jiang Mu bid farewell, personally escorted to the door by Qin Sang. Several maidservants resided in a small building by the lake, awaiting orders. Qin Sang ignored them and returned to his cultivation cave alone. He had already instructed Jiang Mu not to disturb him unless it was for the highest-tier exchange meeting, allowing him to cultivate in peace. Qin Sang surveyed the cave, then erased the existing restrictions, personally set up a grand array, and sat cross-legged.

A demonic banner floated before him. The fiery lotus between his brows flickered in and out of sight. Currently, the fiery lotus's petals had opened a bit more. Strands of demonic flame were silently refined by Qin Sang, transferring from one demonic banner to another. Time quietly flowed by in the dimly lit cultivation cave.

At the foot of the mountain, the maidservants in the wooden building by the lake rotated batch after batch. They were arguably the most relaxed maidservants in Six States Hall, as they came and went without ever seeing the face of the person they served, making them the envy of everyone. Each rotation sparked competition. Everyone was curious about who resided on this mountain, as Manager Jiang Mu himself had issued strict orders that no one was to disturb them.

More than twenty years passed in this manner. Qin Sang remained in his cave, not caring in the slightest about changes in the outside world.

Inside the cultivation cave, black demonic flames danced in the void, initially violent and untamed, but gradually becoming subdued, transforming into a wisp of water-like black flame that flowed into Qin Sang's glabella and infused the fiery lotus. Day after day, this scene repeated countless times within the cave.

"Indeed, it's getting slower and slower..." A faint sigh suddenly echoed within the cave.

Qin Sang awoke. The fiery lotus between his brows receded, and he waved his sleeve, collecting the demonic banners. He sensed himself, clearly feeling the pressure from the Heavenly Dao; the heavenly tribulation was imminent! His daring matched his skill. While others trembled with fear when facing tribulation, Qin Sang, with the heavenly tribulation upon him, was still cultivating secret arts and hadn't made many preparations.

"It's time to go out and prepare for the tribulation." Qin Sang thought to himself. After a brief period of internal adjustment, he walked out of the cave.

The dazzling sunlight bathed him, and Qin Sang felt a touch of warmth. Standing at the entrance, he finally noticed that the scenery of Yan Shui Ruins was truly beautiful, though it had taken him over twenty years to do so. Cultivation knows no time, destined to miss many sights. The maidservants, with nothing to do, were playing by the lake, a scene of boundless beauty.

Qin Sang did not disturb them. He quietly flew out of Yan Shui Ruins, and as he passed through Pushan, his avatar sensed his true body, emerged from seclusion, and met up to protect him during his tribulation. His second Nascent Soul retreated into his true body for nourishment. Qin Sang learned of his avatar's progress over the years. With the aid of the ice disc, his Ice Soul Divine Light had advanced by leaps and bounds, showing no signs of a bottleneck for now, and he would most likely successfully cultivate the divine ability. However, as the cultivation progressed, the Ice Soul Divine Light grew increasingly different from its original version. He wondered what it would ultimately become once perfected.

Qin Sang had already chosen his tribulation location: an uninhabited wasteland between Zhuo State and Zhaoyao State. He flew over countless mountains and rivers. Ahead lay a vast, flat plain. Qin Sang flew for a while longer, then suppressed his light, landing in the middle of the wasteland. He released his avatar to check for any uninvited guests nearby. His true body then began to get busy. He had prepared a spiritual array for the tribulation, named the Profound Mirror Frigid Gale Array. It combined the advantages of the Profound Mirror Array from the Prime Mirage Sect and the Frigid Yin Gale Array inherited from the Listening Snow Pavilion, but it was extremely complex to set up.

Once the array was set up, Qin Sang sat cross-legged within the array, entering meditation, while his avatar stood not far away. Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. The heavenly tribulation hadn't arrived, but the oppressive power of the Heavenly Dao was already manifesting. Creatures in the wasteland sensed the danger and fled in a panic, without Qin Sang needing to drive them away.

Suddenly, both his true body and avatar simultaneously looked up at the sky. What had been a clear sky suddenly rumbled with thunder. The moment the thunder sounded, the sunlight abruptly dimmed, and then clouds gathered, and winds rose. Clouds formed from all directions. In the blink of an eye, dark clouds rolled in the void, surging frantically towards Qin Sang's head. The sky grew increasingly dark, strong winds swept across the wasteland, dry grass flew everywhere, and the world became a vast, desolate expanse.

His avatar's clothes flapped in the wind as it discreetly scanned its surroundings with heightened vigilance, then its figure flickered and vanished. His true body remained still, with the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly perched on his shoulder, opening and closing its wings in a rather leisurely manner.

Swish!

The Gold Sinking Sword transformed into a sword light, circling Qin Sang. Qin Sang glanced at the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly from the corner of his eye. He was confident he could overcome this tribulation, but there was an even more crucial task: helping the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly absorb more tribulation lightning.

Booming...

The tribulation clouds rapidly formed, giving the tribulation-undergoer no time to breathe, as the tribulation lightning descended from the heavens! Lightning fell like a waterfall. The wasteland underwent a process of darkening and then brightening, at this moment becoming as bright as day once more.

With a sharp clang of a sword, the Gold Sinking Sword ascended against the torrent. The Heaven-Eyed Butterfly flapped its wings and followed closely behind. During his last Nascent Soul tribulation, Qin Sang had only dared to let it absorb threads of lightning from the side. Now, with the ability to handle contingencies, he was confident enough to let the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly face the tribulation lightning directly.

Thunderous blasts roared, and the Gold Sinking Sword was engulfed in the lightning. Whoosh! Countless sword lights suddenly scattered, too numerous to count, forming a disc of sword light in mid-air to block the tribulation lightning! Amidst the roaring, both sword lights and tribulation lightning were annihilated. However, some tribulation lightning was deliberately allowed through by Qin Sang. The Heaven-Eyed Butterfly flapped its wings and flew to meet it, shooting seemingly delicate bolts of lightning from its wings to form a thunder net, thicker and more robust than when it first broke through to its fourth transformation.

The sight of it devouring tribulation lightning reappeared. Qin Sang, seeing it again, was still full of admiration and held even greater expectations for the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly. Next, he felt a painful thought transmit from the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly; devouring tribulation lightning directly was harder than absorbing threads of it. However, since it still had the presence of mind to act spoiled, it would certainly be able to persevere.

Qin Sang comforted the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly while wielding his sword to fend off the tribulation lightning.